Which informal activity is designed to gauge student readiness at the start of class?

Bellwork is an informal activity often utilized at the beginning of a class to assess students' readiness for the day's lesson. This approach allows teachers to engage students right away, drawing on their prior knowledge or prepping them for new content. It can take many forms, such as a quick review question, a short writing prompt, or an introductory problem to solve. This activity not only helps teachers understand where students stand academically but also sets the tone for the class, encouraging students to transition into learning mode.

While assessment is usually more formal and may involve quizzes or tests designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of student understanding, bellwork serves as a quick check-in. Classroom management relates to how teachers maintain a positive learning environment and handle behavior in the classroom rather than measuring readiness. Active participation indicates how engaged students are during lessons, which may be influenced by bellwork but does not specifically target the initial readiness check that bellwork is designed for.